Whenever something is so simple to deduce and easy to bbe agreeable to, they would say 1 plus 1 equals 2. In the world of M&A, they are always looking for that strategic fit that will see a 1 plus 1 equals 3 performance benefit.
A better one, the binary numerical system which is the basic algorithm in electronics and information technology, 1 plus 1 equals 10. Only thing is a binary 10 is only 2.
On our way on Putra commuter train to an evening appointment, we were reading today's The Star. Something interesting observed with respect to various matters related to China. What will 1 plus 1 plus 1 equal to?
This week, Tourism Minister, Dato Nazri Aziz proposed to cabinet for an easy visa for visitors from China. In his position, he must be thinking of promoting more China Chinese tourist into Malaysia.
If Japanese tourist were the market to go those days, these days it is China. They can spend. Not even the middle east ... troublesome people. Malaysian tourism was badly hit by the two MAS place crashes one after another and now Malaysian linked Indonesian airline, Air Asia Indonesia.
Read The Star news here.
However, that proposal raised eyebrow. Chinese have been getting easy entry visa to neighboring countries so Malaysia need to be competitive.
However, it has raised eyebrow, Why only China? Why not Indonesia, whose got cultural linked with majority of Malaysian and India?
Let's leave it at that first.
Investment
Today's The Star here reported Shanghai based Greenland Developer Private Limited acquiring a 128 land at Iskandar Water Front, Johor Baru for RM2.4 billion. At RM430 per sq ft, it is the highest land transaction in the midst of a softening property market.
The Chinese are rapidly investing in the region like Arabs without cautiously looking for bargains.
This is just 1 plus 1.
Does Nazri's proposal serves to help ease the visa entry of China investors or homeowners that could be inhabiting the condominiums to be built in such a property.
This is raising eyebrows of local Johoreans of all races. Properties is reaching a "mampu tengok" level. Locals could not afford homes and had to rely on mampu milik programs from PR1MA and such.
The last one observed was China alerting Home Minister of Malaysia being used as transit for over 300 China nationals in transit to join ISIS. Read here.
This is the very reason the Government need a good database on workers permit which Myeg have been assigned to gather. Private sector should be able to do it more efficiently than pen pushing public sector.
However, DAP, MCA and Gerakan made an issue on Myeg for the fees although Felcra and many inviduals have no problem with paying the RM38. It seems government is bowing to pressure. Read here. and here.
In Sabah, Esscom commander, Dato Abdul Rashid Harun warned locals against harbouring illegals. Read here. They are paranoid about illegal immigrant there.
National security
There is just too many foreigners in this country. It is getting uncomfortable.
Off course, it can be discussed at length but as said in our previous posting here, our businessmen are not moving up the curve to invest. They are still stuck in old mentality and relying on cheap labour, thus immigrant workers.
The other side of it is the locals attitude for high pay and less labourious work.
The uncomfortable part of it is security. There is much security threat to discuss at length with their presence in large amount. Some nationalities like Myanmar are bringing their internal communal clashes here.
This is only civilian.
If Malaysia is too open to also military personnel from other countries, our security problem will get worse. See what happened to Vietnam when Americans occupy South and Communist occupy North, civil war broke out.
Hope our Minster of Defense and Home Ministers think carefully of the ramification to the big picture national security when they try to befriend other countries, especially superpower. They should be working together instead of fighting. Read here.
Trade is fine and the more interest they have in this country, the less they will wreck it and give more commitment to sustain peace.
However, it is a different ball of wax to be friendly and cooperating on military and security matters. They should listen to the pro. Jangan nak memandai jadi hero and main sedap cakap.
The worry is 1 plus 1 plus 1 could end up zero or minus..